OUR FATHER HAS GONE
TO A MANSION OF REST
TO THE GLORIOUS LAND
BY THE DEITY BLEST

MARTHA SIEPEL
BORN
JUNE 15, 1853
DIED
OCT. 6, 1935

Obituary clipping courtesy of Cora R. Swift. From Mary Jane White, great-granddaughter of John William and Martha Ellis Siepel,we have the additional obituaries and supplemental memorabilia.

From a Hancock County newspaper, verbatim transcription:

John W. Siepel was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, June 12, 1850, and died at his home in Hancock Co Ill., April 3, 1893. He was married to Miss Mattie Ellis, of Newton County, Mo., Dec 24, 1874. To this happy union were born four children, three boys and one girl, all of whom with the wife and mother survive him.

He was converted when sixteen years of age and joined the U.B. Church. The class of which he was a member becoming disorganized he united, about fifteen years since, with the M.E. Church, at Majorville appointment, Colchester Circuit, of which he was a faithful and consistent member until death, filling the various offices of the Church acceptably.

His last illness was protracted and painful. He bore all patiently and was ready for the change that called him into the fuller life above. The wife loses a loving husband, the children a kind father, the Church a good and safe counselor and the community a good citizen, but our loss is his eternal gain. We shall meet again. ---Wm. P. Weekly.

From a Hancock County newspaper, October 24, 1935, verbatim transcription:

Fountain Green - Funeral services for Mrs. Mattie Siepel, 82, who died October 6 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Alf Prentice, were held October 8 at Majorville in charge of Rev. Keith Loveless. Pall-bearers were four grandsons, George and Vernon Prentice, John Siepel, and Virgil Siepel, and two nephews, Russell Huey and Lawrence Kimbrough. Lois Conn and Kathryn Parker sang "In the Garden" and "Beautiful Isle." Burial was in Majorville cemetery.

Martha, daughter of Ira and Minerva Ellis, was born in Newton County in Southwestern Missouri, July 15, 1853, and on December 24, 1874, she became the wife of John William Siepel in Missouri. Four years later they moved to this neighborhood which, with the exception of one year in the state of Washington, has been her home. Her husband died in 1893.

She joined the Methodist church in childhood and was one of the solicitors for funds to build the Majorville church. She lived in pioneer days when spinning and weaving were a part of the household tasks and during the Civil War saw much of the border conflicts.

She is survived by the following children: Philip and Ira of West Liberty, Iowa: Joseph C. of Glasford, Ill.; Willard E., and Mrs. Alf Prentice, both of this vicinity. There are 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. One brother, Bascara, lives in Oklahoma.

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Corrections to the above: Mattie's surviving brother's name was Bascom, as given in other family records. Her daughter, Eliza Minerva/Manerva was Mrs. Alpheus Prentice. The family has no records of her having a son Ira, as listed in the obituary, but she did have a grandson, Ira, the son of her son, Joseph Siepel. The obituary reference should have read, "Philip Ira of West Liberty, Iowa".

Martha's death certificate states her mother was Minerva Ford. The marriage page in her family Bible states that she and John Siepel were married at the home of her father, Ira Ellis Sr. Witnesses were Rev. J.M. Proctor and Ira Pogue Sr. The certificate was signed L. W. Pearce, P.C. Pineville Circuit.

Below, another obituary with some of the same errors.

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OBITUARY OF MRS. MARTHA SIEPEL

Martha, daughter of Ira and Minerva Ellis, was born in Newton county in southwestern Missouri, July 15, 1853, and peacefully passed away on October 6th, 1935, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Alf Prentice, of near Majorville. She was 82 years of age.

On December 24th, 1874, in Missouri, she became the wife of John Wm. Siepel. Four years later they moved to this neighborhood which, with the exception of one year spent in the state of Washington, has been her home.

Her husband died in 1893 and she lovingly made a home for their children.

She gave her heart to her Maker in childhood, uniting with the M. E. church and has been a faithful member during her life.

She lived in pioneer days when spinning and weaving were a part of the household tasks and during the Civil War saw much of the border conflicts[.]

She was one of the solicitors for funds with which the Majorville church was erected.

There are left to cherish her memory the following children: Philip, Ira and Rena, his wife, of West Liberty, Iowa; Joseph C. and wife, Erma, of Glasford, Illinois; Williard E., whose wife, Olive is deceased; and Eliza Minerva, and her husband, Alf Prentice, both of this vicinity.

There are twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. One brother, Bascara, who lives in Oklahoma, and other relatives are in Missouri. Also the sisters-in-law, Mrs. Fannie Siepel and Mrs. Vina Dunham and her husband, Abe Dunham, of Camp Point. There are five nephews and eight nieces of her husband and one nephew, Ira Pogue, of her own.

Funeral services were held at Majorville Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Keith Loveless. The pall-bearers were four grandsons, George and Vernon Prentice, John Siepel and Virgil Siepel, and two nephews, Russell Huey and Lawrence Kimbrough.

Philip Ira Siepel, born November 13, 1875, in Missouri; he died in 1961. Burial at Dumont Cemetery, Dumont, Butler County, Iowa.

ii.

Willard Emmet Siepel, born August 21, 1877, in Missouri. He survived his younger sister, Eliza, but died later the same month, October 1956. Burial at Hills
Grove Cemetery, rural Tennessee, McDonough County, Illinois.

iii.

Joseph Clarence Siepel, born December 20, 1879, in Missouri; died September 4, 1960, at Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. Burial at
Moss Ridge Cemetery, Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois.

iv.

Eliza M. Siepel, born May 17, 1882, in Hancock County. She died in early October of 1956 at Macomb, McDonough County, Illinos. Burial at Majorville Cemetery.

John Seiple, who lives near Joetta, Hancock county, had two valuable mares killed in his pasture. The villain who committed the deed had evidently reached in between the hind legs and drew the knife forward, making a cut from the stomach, completely disemboweling both animals. Mr. Seiple had a horse killed several years ago by having its throat cut. Frank Willis also had a horse killed three years ago by having its throat cut. The party who killed Mr. Willis' horse was apprehended, tried and convicted and sentenced to the penitentiary. He served his sentence out and sometime during the past winter returned to the vicinity of Joetta and we understand suspicion points strongly to him as the individual who killed Mr. Seiple's animals.--Colchester News.

Prentiss, Alf, head, renter, did not own a radio, lived on a farm, male, white, 56, age at first marriage - 29, could read and write, born MO, father born MA, mother born VT, spoke English, general farm, whether a veteran of the U.S. military or naval forces mobilized for any war or expedition - no, farm schedule 114

Eliza, wife, female, white, 47, married, age at first marriage - 21, could read and write, born IL, father born VA, mother born MO, spoke English

Ella, daughter, female, white, 26, single, could read and write, born IL, father born MO, mother born IL, spoke English, teacher, public school

Elma, daughter, female, white, 24, single, could read and write, born IL, father born MO, mother born IL, spoke English

Vernon, son, male, white, 15, single, attended school after Sept. 1, 1929, could read and write, born IL, father born MO, mother born IL, spoke English

George, son, male, white, 14, single, attended school after Sept. 1, 1929, could read and write, born IL, father born MO, mother born IL, spoke English

Paul, son, male, white, 10, single, attended school after Sept. 1, 1929, could read and write, born IL, father born MO, mother born IL, spoke English

Carrie, daughter, female, white, 5, single, did not attend school after Sept. 1, 1929, born IL, father born MO, mother born IL